So there was this horrible post that made it to the frontpage of r/wtf (naturally, I don’t even know why I still subscribe to that shit) that was of course a rape joke. And the comment thread was of course just horrific and full of rape apologists and people screaming that just because they have the right to make these jokes means no one can ever be mad at them ever for whatever they say neener neener neener. And then naturally once someone FINALLY brought up that this was rape and pretty shitty there was this torrential storm of “WULLLL YEAH BUT MEN GET RAPED TOO SO SHUT UP.”

Wait, what? So… since we’re here trying to talk about women for a few seconds we need to make sure that we know how the men feel. Because there can be no space or subject about women that is not inundated and constantly reminded of the male experience and opinion. We all really need to know what your penis is saying, lest we be able to actually hear ourselves for a second.

What I hate about this the most is that it really weakens the movement for male rape awareness. By invading female spaces and constantly decrying women as being rape inventors and liars it makes it even more difficult to make progress in ending rape for everyone. Do men get raped? Yes. Is it horrific and terrible? Yes. Is it as bad as when women get raped? Exactly as bad (no more, no less). Does it happen as often? Probably not. Does a discussion of women getting raped mean we are saying that men do not get raped? NO. NO IT DOESN’T.

And I don’t give a shit if it’s “just a joke.” It’s a bad joke and I don’t have to like it. It’s freedom of speech, bro, I can disagree with you if I want.